Baku, September 30, 2025
Some citizens in Azerbaijan say they face repeated problems at bank currency exchange counters. The complaints often center on two issues: cashiers refusing to break down notes into smaller denominations and reluctance to convert small amounts of foreign currency into manats.
So, are banks obliged to meet every customer request?
Economist Akram Hasanov told Globalinfo.az that both banks and customers can file complaints with the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) if disputes arise. But he also underlined that exchange offices are not bound to act as change machines.
“There is no legal duty to ‘break money.’ Exchange points exist to swap one currency for another. At the same time, they may refuse certain denominations. For example, they can decide not to accept $1 or $5 bills. If nobody wants those notes, their refusal is considered legitimate,” Hasanov explained.
When a Complaint Is Valid
According to the expert, problems arise only in specific cases.
“If an exchange point refuses to convert a standard sum – say, €100 or $100 – then a citizen can file a complaint. But generally, such cases are rare. The issue is mostly about small-denomination banknotes, which some banks prefer not to accept,” he added.
For now, the rules remain clear: currency exchange offices must provide fair transactions, but they are not obliged to accommodate every request for small notes.
